Foosball table with longitudinal and lateral player movements

ABSTRACT

A foosball table with longitudinal and lateral player movements above a playing surface is disclosed. The player figures carried on a control shaft in a spaced apart relation along the shaft. A proximal end of the shaft has a control knob operable from an exterior of the table. A distal end of the shaft is pivotally coupled beyond an interior sidewall of the playing surface, yet within an anteroom of the foosball table defined by an exterior panel of the foosball table and the interior sidewall. A longitudinal slot is provided along the exterior panel for a longitudinal displacement of the control shaft and the player figures carried on the control shaft.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisionalapplication No. 63/364,989, filed May 19, 2022, the contents of whichare herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to table soccer, also known as foosball,and more particularly to player movements along a playing surface of thefoosball table.

Typical table soccer (foosball) simulates the outdoor ball game ofsoccer, although in an unrealistic way as all play figures arerestricted to lateral directional movements along the playing surface ofthe foosball table. Traditional foosball tables that lack longitudinalmotion of the players limit the possibilities of gameplay.

As can be seen, there is a need for a foosball table that providesimproved mobility of the player figures of the game, and thus expandsthe possibilities of table soccer game tactics and strategy: passing andshooting (especially diagonally), dribbling, scoring, defending, as wellas reducing dead balls—the condition during gameplay when a stationaryball is not reachable by any player figure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a foosball table includes apivot assembly pivotably connecting a distal portion of a player-figureshaft relative to a playing surface of the foosball table so that aproximal portion of the player-figure shaft moves substantiallylongitudinally relative to the playing surface in two directions.

In another aspect of the present invention, the foosball table furtherincludes said substantially longitudinal movement is defined by acircular motion of the proximal portion about a z-axis of the pivotassembly, wherein the playing surface is a two-dimensional area definedby a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction, and wherein thez-axis defines a z-direction perpendicular to the longitudinal andlateral directions, wherein the longitudinal movement is confined by alongitudinal slot disposed in an exterior panel of the foosball table,wherein the pivot assembly is contained in an anteroom adjacent to theplaying surface, wherein the anteroom is defined by the exterior paneland an interior sidewall defining a longitudinal edge of the playingsurface, wherein each player figure on player-figure shaft is movablerotatable and linearly about a lateral axis and pivotable about thez-axis, wherein the longitudinal slot extends in a longitudinaldirection for at least twice (and sometime more than five times; in oneembodiment, the longitudinal slot extends more than four inches on eachside of a line normal relative to the pivot assembly) a distance of adiameter of the player-figure shaft, wherein a distal end of theplayer-figure shaft ends prior to the exterior panel, and wherein eachplayer figure of the player-figure shaft is linearly adjustable along alength of the player-figure shaft.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with reference to the followingdrawings, description, and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention with longitudinal and lateral player movements.

FIG. 2 is a schematic side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention with longitudinal and lateral player movements.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention, taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 4 is another cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention, taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 5 is another cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention, taken on line 5-5 of FIG. 2 .

FIG. 6 is a detailed isometric view an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention, indicated by line 6-6 of FIG. 5 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplatedmodes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. Thedescription is not to be taken in a limiting sense but is made merelyfor the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention,since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, embodiments of the present invention provide a foosball tablewith both longitudinal and lateral player-figure movements over theplaying surface of the foosball table. The player figures are carried ona control shaft in a spaced apart relation along the shaft. A proximalend of the shaft has a control knob operable from an exterior of thetable. A distal end of the shaft is pivotally coupled beyond an interiorsidewall of the playing surface, yet within an anteroom of the foosballtable defined by an exterior panel of the foosball table and theinterior sidewall. A longitudinal slot is provided along the exteriorpanel for a longitudinal displacement of the control shaft and theplayer figures carried on the control shaft.

As stated above, Typical table soccer (foosball) simulates the outdoorball game of soccer, although in a somewhat unrealistic way as allplayer figures are restricted, when it comes to traversing the playingsurface of the foosball table, to lateral directional movements. Theimproved foosball table of the present invention incudes mechanisms thatallow the rotatable shafts, that the player figures are mounted to, topivot about a point adding a radial longitudinal movement to thetraditional rotational and lateral movements of the players figures.

As seen in reference to the drawings of FIGS. 1-6 , the foosball tablewith longitudinal and lateral player movements 10 is disclosed. Thefoosball table 10 includes a tabletop surface 12 containing a playingsurface 14 disposed below the tabletop surface 12. The playing surface14 is contained by a sidewall 38, with a goal opening 36 at opposed endsof the playing surface 14.

A plurality of player figures 20 are rotationally carried on a shaft 18extending through a sidewall 38 of the table 10. A hand grip 16 isprovided at a proximal end of the shaft 18 for the user to manipulatethe plurality of player figures 20 carried on the shaft 18.

The proximal end of the shafts 18 extend through a longitudinal slot 32extending along a sidewall 38 of the table 10. The longitudinal slots 32are disposed in a spaced apart relation along the length of the sidewall38 of the table 10, with each of the slots 32 carrying one of aplurality of shafts 18. The shaft 18 selectively rides along itsrespective slot 32 under the manipulate of the player. Each slot 32 maylongitudinally extend a slot distance that is at least twice thedistance defined by the diameter of its respective shaft 18.

It should be noted that the longitudinal direction is associated with alongitudinal axis, which is perpendicular to a lateral axis associatedwith the movement of a traditional foosball shaft, running along itslength, and wherein both the longitudinal and lateral axes areperpendicular to a z-axis 50 shown in FIG. 6 . The rotational movementof the shaft 18 is about the lateral axis.

A distal end of the shaft 18 may be pivotally coupled with the table 10via a pivot assembly 22. The pivot assembly 22 is positioned external tothe sidewall 38 of the playing surface 14 to lengthen a longitudinaltraversal distance of the player figure 20 carried by the shaft 18. Thepivot assembly 22 is configured to pivot or rotate about the z-axis 50,thereby enabling circular motion of the proximal end of the shaft 18, asillustrated in FIG. 5 . The pivot assembly 22 is also configured toslidably carry the shaft 18 along a lateral length of the table 10 suchthat the player figures 20 may enjoy their traditional lateral androtational movements.

Preferably, the distal ends of the shafts 18 are contained within anexterior space or anteroom 42 defined on one side by the sidewall 38(that defines of the playing surface 14) and on the other side anexterior panel 28 of the table 10, thereby protecting an opponent userfrom being struck by the distal end of the shaft 18 during a lateraldisplacement and to prevent the opponent user from interfering with atraversal, circular, and/or other movements of the shaft 18.

A bumper 40, or spring assembly, is positioned with the outer playerfigures 20 on the shaft 18 to cushion the striking of the shaft 18against the sidewall 38 of the playing surface.

As will be appreciated, the table 10 may include ball entry holes 24 forintroducing a game ball 34 onto the playing surface 14. Likewise, ballreturn paths 26 are provided for carrying the ball 34 to the exterior ofthe table 10 after the ball 34 has entered the goal 36. The ball returnpaths 26 may convey the ball 34 to ball return openings 30 defined inthe exterior side panel 28 of the table 10.

They (traditional foosball tables) do not work well in the sense thatthe player figures 20 , that are supposed to emulate human athletes, arelimited in their range of motion and the size of their playing field.Aspects of the present invention improve the mobility of the playerfigures 20 of the game and thus expand the possibilities of table soccergame tactics and strategy: passing and shooting (especially diagonally),dribbling, scoring, and defending.

The assembled components work as a table soccer game. When a ball 34 isput into play through a ball entry 24, players on each team (each sideof the table) use the grips 16 to manipulate the rods 18 with foosballmen to propel the ball 34 into the respective goals 36. Because of thepivot mechanisms 22: the ball 34 can be pushed or pulled longitudinallyalong the playing surface 14 instead of simply being struck, and theplayer-figure shafts can be pivoted so that the surface of the playerfigure's ‘foot’ can be angled towards the opponent's goal 36.

The configuration and spacing of the player figures 20 on the shaft 18can also be adjusted to give different gameplay variations and stillhave the game function properly.

This invention may be used as a table soccer game with additionalfeatures and gameplay which more closely simulates the outdoor ball gameof soccer. Gameplay rules can be derived from the rules of theInternational Table Soccer Federation (ITSF).

As used in this application, the term “about” or “approximately” refersto a range of values within plus or minus 10% of the specified number.And the term “substantially” refers to up to 80% or more of an entirety.Recitation of ranges of values herein are not intended to be limiting,referring instead individually to any and all values falling within therange, unless otherwise indicated, and each separate value within such arange is incorporated into the specification as if it were individuallyrecited herein.

For purposes of this disclosure, the term “aligned” means parallel,substantially parallel, or forming an angle of less than 35.0 degrees.For purposes of this disclosure, the term “transverse” meansperpendicular, substantially perpendicular, or forming an angle between55.0 and 125.0 degrees. Also, for purposes of this disclosure, the term“length” means the longest dimension of an object. Also, for purposes ofthis disclosure, the term “width” means the dimension of an object fromside to side. For the purposes of this disclosure, the term “above”generally means superjacent, substantially superjacent, or higher thananother object although not directly overlying the object. Further, forpurposes of this disclosure, the term “mechanical communication”generally refers to components being in direct physical contact witheach other or being in indirect physical contact with each other wheremovement of one component affect the position of the other.

The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (“e.g.,” “suchas,” or the like) provided herein, is intended merely to betterilluminate the embodiments and does not pose a limitation on the scopeof the embodiments or the claims. No language in the specificationshould be construed as indicating any unclaimed element as essential tothe practice of the disclosed embodiments.

In the following description, it is understood that terms such as“first,” “second,” “top,” “bottom,” “up,” “down,” and the like, arewords of convenience and are not to be construed as limiting termsunless specifically stated to the contrary.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates toexemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may bemade without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentinvention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A foosball table comprises a pivot assemblypivotably connecting a distal portion of a player-figure shaft relativeto a playing surface of the foosball table so that a proximal portion ofthe player-figure shaft moves substantially longitudinally relative tothe playing surface.
 2. The foosball table of claim 1, wherein saidsubstantially longitudinal movement is defined by a circular motion ofthe proximal portion about a z-axis of the pivot assembly.
 3. Thefoosball table of claim 2, wherein the playing surface is atwo-dimensional area defined by a longitudinal direction and a lateraldirection, and wherein the z-axis defines a z-direction perpendicular tothe longitudinal and lateral directions.
 4. The foosball table of claim3, wherein the longitudinal movement is confined by a longitudinal slotdisposed in an exterior panel of the foosball table.
 5. The foosballtable of claim 4, wherein the pivot assembly is contained in an anteroomadjacent to the playing surface.
 6. The foosball table of claim 5,wherein the anteroom is defined by the exterior panel and an interiorsidewall defining a longitudinal edge of the playing surface.
 7. Thefoosball table of claim 6, wherein each player figure on player-figureshaft is movable rotatable and linearly about a lateral axis andpivotable about the z-axis.
 8. The foosball table of claim 7, whereinthe longitudinal slot extends in a longitudinal direction for at leasttwice a distance of a diameter of the player-figure shaft.
 9. Thefoosball table of claim 8, wherein a distal end of the player-figureshaft ends prior to the exterior panel.
 10. The foosball table of claim9, wherein each player figure of the player-figure shaft is linearlyadjustable along a length of the player-figure shaft.